How Well Do You Know the United States Flag Code?

On this date, June 14th, 1777, the Continental Congress made the Stars and Stripes the First National Flag,  so today we celebrate Flag Day and it's one of those days where we fly our flags at home and work.

Flying the flag correctly isn't just good etiquette, it's the law (although I'm pretty sure you won't get arrested). It's known as the Flag Code and this is what the law says about flying, displaying, and respecting the American flag:

1: The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.

2: The flag should be flown in fair weather unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.

3: The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing and it is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

4: The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes and the blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

5: The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use.

6: The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

7: The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure or drawing of any kind placed on it or attached to it.

8: The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.

9: When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms.  When the flag is stored, it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

10: The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary. When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

We should proudly fly our flags every day but today especially is a great day to put Old Glory on display for all to see.

[via USFlag.org]